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Hotel Housekeeping Manager: A Quick Guide on Becoming One

by | CAREER GUIDANCE, Career Paths

Housekeeping is a career as old as time. When great estates were common across the world, housekeeping involved managing the household's staff to ensure standards were met, and everything ran smoothly.

Fast forward to today, and the position of ‘Housekeeping Manager' is still an essential role in the hospitality industry - especially hotels. 

If you’ve been wondering where to take your hospitality career, this is a job worth aspiring to. In light of that, we're revealing what you need to do to become a hotel Housekeeping Manager in this article.

 

What Does a Hotel Housekeeping Manager Do?

In short, a Housekeeping Manager, or head housekeeper, takes overall responsibility for cleaning rooms, laundering linen, and maintaining hotel furnishings and equipment.

They supervise room attendants and cleaning staff to ensure rooms are cleaned to a high standard. Managing housekeeping staff also entails:

  • Drawing up shift rotas.
  • Hiring and training new employees.
  • Ordering cleaning equipment and room supplies.
  • Managing budgets.

On top of that, the Housekeeping Manager ensures that staff work and comply with health and safety rules. During busier periods, they may need to pitch in and help room attendants clean rooms.

It’s plain to see that hotel Housekeeping Managers execute responsibilities crucial to the hotel's day-to-day smooth running. So much so that Housekeeping Managers sometimes have to step up to the duty manager’s role if the general manager is absent.

 

Why's Housekeeping Needed In a Hotel?

As guests, we often take for granted that hotels present us with fresh linens and clean rooms. Should the hotel fail to deliver visitors with a squeaky clean environment, its reputation can suffer immensely. In fact, according to Research by P&G Professional, 79% of guests say cleanliness is the most influential factor over their choice of accommodation.

With so much at stake, it's no wonder that hygiene, cleanliness, and tidiness are aspects of hotel management that require its own supervisor and manager. This is where a Housekeeping Manager steps up to the plate. It's their job to ensure cleaning staff can perform their jobs as smoothly as possible. A good Housekeeping Manager guarantees that nothing is overlooked. Consequently, hotel guests enjoy a stay in a room that's cleaned to professional standards.

Needless to say, the emphasis on hygiene has only exasperated since the dawning of the pandemic. For staff and guests alike, cleanliness has been at the forefront of everyone's minds. In response to COVID-19, hotels have increased their hygiene standards, and experts predict these changes will continue fuelling the hospitality industry's future.

 

How Much Can You Earn as a Hotel Housekeeping Manager?

As always, salary significantly varies depending on where you work, the hotel's size, and the job's demands. You may also wangle a higher salary if you can prove you've had lots of prior housekeeping experience. 

According to Salary Explorer, the yearly average salary of a Housekeeping Manager is:

  • $75,800 in Switzerland (CHF 71,000)
  • $54,600 in the United States 
  • $52,400 in the United Kingdom (£38,000)
  • $33,977 in United Arab Emirates (AED 124,800)
  • $31,500 in France (€26,600)
  • $30,700 in Italy (€25,900)
  • $23,000 in Spain (€19,400) 

Best of all, the job market for first-line housekeeping supervisors is expected to grow until 2026, making it the perfect position for anyone seeking to elevate their hospitality career in the near future.

➡️  Apply to housekeeping jobs on Hosco!

 

Things to Consider Before Becoming a Hotel Housekeeping Manager

Before diving headfirst into this new career path, there are a few things you should know about the job:

  • You’ll work shifts, which can include early mornings, late nights, and weekends. A flexible schedule is a must, and you should be able to adapt to different working hours.
  • You need to be fit enough to go up and downstairs and bend down. The job can be physically exhausting and requires a lot of movement.
  • Part-time work may be available.
  • It’s not uncommon for Housekeeping Managers to have a live-in arrangement with the hotel that employs them. However, this might result in a deduction from your salary to cover board and lodgings. That said, live-in positions often present an excellent opportunity to live cheaply and save money.
  • You’ll be responsible for managing staff and budgets. So, on top of excellent housekeeping skills, be prepared to take a leadership role with responsibilities. 
  • You should be comfortable with finances and handling many tasks at once - multitasking is a must!
  • You shouldn’t be allergic to dust or cleaning supplies.

 

What Qualifications/Experience Do You Need to Become a Hotel Housekeeping Manager?

You don’t need formal qualifications to become a Housekeeping Manager. That said, larger, more upscale hotels may require a bachelor’s degree, ideally in hospitality management. These kinds of courses typically include modules covering:

  • Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Housekeeping management
  • Economics
  • Hotel management
  • Maintenance

It's also possible to complete an apprenticeship in housekeeping management. On the flip side, it's possible to kickstart your career with just a high school diploma.

In terms of experience, a background in management in any field is a massive bonus. But you could also strive to become a Housekeeping Manager if you're currently a housekeeping staff member or front office worker. It's not uncommon to gain this promotion after working in the facility, demonstrating leadership, and providing excellent customer service.

You can also take short online courses to help prepare you for the transition to Housekeeping Manager. These should teach you all the necessary core skills for the role and give you a feel for whether the position's right fits you. 

 

Are You Ready to Pursue Your Career as a Housekeeping Manager?

Without level-headed and skilled Housekeeping Managers, many hotels would quickly fall apart. The role of a head housekeeper remains a respectable and significant one across all fields of hospitality.

Suppose you’re looking to advance your career after some years of experience working in hotels. In that case, the role of Housekeeping Manager may be one to aspire to. If you're up for a live-in position that comes with challenge and responsibility, start learning more today.

Are you ready to find your next job as a Housekeeping Manager? Start taking the first steps towards your dream hospitality job today!

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